Charges for Services and Transport

The transport of pilgrims, ever since their arrival in the Holy Land and up to their departure, is among the most important priorities of the Ministry of Pilgrimage. Hence this Ministry assumes the responsibility of supervision of the pilgrims transport companies that are accredited and registered with the General Car Syndicate, which, in turn, plays its role in coordinating between the official Hajj missions or the pilgrims' representatives in their respective countries or the licensed tourist and travel agencies and the pilgrims transport companies. The purpose is to determine the responsibility of the carrier, its rights and obligations, in order to secure the transport services between the Hajj cities at the appropriate times and places. In view of the aforementioned, anyone who wishes to perform the Hajj duty should first obtain a Hajj visa from the representation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in their respective countries. There are two methods of obtaining the Hajj visa:

The First method:To apply through the official Hajj mission in the respective country of the pilgrims.

The Second method:Through the licensed tourist groups and offices in the country wherein the visa applicants reside.

In all cases, the applicant should enclose with his application two certified bank checks drawn on a bank in Saudi Arabia. Personal checks drawn by individuals are not acceptable, even if drawn on local banks.

The first check is for charges for the services that are provided by those who work for the National Establishments for Hajj Affairs.

The second check is for the charges of the means of transport that will transport pilgrims coming by sea or air to Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah and the Holy Sites, and back to the exit outlets at the time of departure.

Pilgrims traveling over land to the Holy Land in their own vehicles are exempted from the transport charges. For the information of the venerable pilgrims, these charges are against the actual services that are provided to them by the National Establishments for Hajj Affairs and the pilgrims transport companies. The Ministry of Pilgrimage affirms that the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not charge fees or taxes from pilgrims in any form. For the purpose of clarification, the details of the spending of the sums required of pilgrims when obtaining the Hajj visa are as follows:

First: Charges for Services

A pilgrim desiring to visit Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah shall pay the equivalent of 594 Saudi Riyals by way of service charges allocated to the National Establishments for Hajj Affairs and to accommodation at the Holy Sites. This sum covers the following:

Second: Transport Charges

A pilgrim is free to choose the course he wishes to follow, according to the following directions:

In all cases, those who wish to perform the Hajj duty should make sure of the following:

1.That the name of the pilgrim and the number of his passport is written on the certified check pertaining to the aforementioned charges.

2.That the certified check is for each pilgrim separately or for groups collectively according to the agreement with the Unified Agents Office.

3.That the number, amount and date of the check are written in the passport.

4.The Kingdom's representation giving the visa shall make a special mark on the check when issuing the visa, to preclude its repeated use.

5.That the bank check should be certified in Saudi Riyals and drawn on a Saudi bank. Personal checks are not acceptable.

6.A) That the two checks brought by pilgrims upon their arrival shall be for the account of the Unified Agents Office in Jeddah. The first is for the services of the National Establishments for Hajj Affairs; the second, for the General Cars Syndicate that represents the accredited pilgrims transport companies, drawn on an accredited bank in the Kingdom. The checks should be handed over to the Unified Agents Office. Pilgrims should also make sure a transport ticket is issued, wherein shall be indicated that the price is included in the check pertaining to the charges, and wherein the means of transport and the places of transportation are specified. Pilgrims must keep safe the coupons included in such tickets, so that one coupon is drawn on every occasion of its use, and that such coupons are produced in case of any queries.

B) A pilgrim is entitled to reimbursement of unused coupons (his/her ticket), with the exception of the coupon pertaining to the Holy Sites (because the Syndicate would have reserved a seat for him/her for the Holy Sites) when he/she, or whomever he/she delegates, apply to the in this Syndicate connection.

C) If a pilgrim is unable to travel to Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, he/she shall be entitled to reimbursement of the fees paid for the guide, which fees amount to 35 (thirty five) Saudi Riyals, as well as of the transport charge indicated in the tables pertaining to transport charges, provided he/she produces evidence of that to the Ministry of Pilgrimage.

7.In the event a pilgrim is unable to bring the checks pertaining to the services and transport charges, for reasons of unforeseen currency restrictions in his country, he/she shall be obligated to pay the charges in question at the Unified Agents Office at the entry outlets (in cash) in Saudi Riyals or in Saudi certified tourist checks.

8.The above stipulated charges are due in full in respect of every pilgrim who is fifteen years old or more. Those who are less than fifteen years old, down to seven years old, shall pay half the stipulated charges, pursuant to official documents evidencing the date of birth.

9.Exempted from payment are members of official Hajj missions whose names have been notified to the Ministry of Pilgrimage through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within the number agreed in the Hajj agreements that are approved every year.

10.Pilgrims arriving over land shall pay the sum pertaining to the service charges and the tent charges at Arafat and Mina, which charges are determined pursuant to the instructions indicated in this chapter pertaining to the services and transport charges.

11.As regards pilgrims coming from the Gulf States for performing the Hajj duty, who are not citizens of such Gulf States, these shall be subject to the Hajj instructions that regulate the pilgrims of their respective countries, including the service fees paid by pilgrims in return for receiving the services of the National Establishments for Hajj Affairs.

12.The sums indicated on the checks pertaining to the service charges do not include residence rents in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, or the Sea or Air Pilgrims Cities in Jeddah. Pilgrims or those who represent them shall, themselves or those whom they delegate, pay such rents to the lessers. They shall also make adequate provision for living expenses in the Kingdom throughout their stay therein.

13.If a pilgrim desires to reside in the Pilgrims City in Jeddah, he shall pay the rent therefore to the Ein Al-Aziziyyah Management in Jeddah, in the amount of eighty Saudi Riyals per day, either in cash or by certified check.

14.Accommodation at Arafat and Mina shall be under tents provided or served by the Tawafa Establishments, which a pilgrim would have previously included in the check pertaining to the service fees.

15.Additional services shall be agreed upon in writing between a pilgrim or his delegate and the establishment or the service group that is in charge of serving him. The charges pertaining to such additional services shall be paid pursuant to a payment receipt issued by the establishment or the field service group, for such service would not be included in the above mentioned two checks paid by the pilgrim.

16.A pilgrim may not give any sum of money or tip to the driver of any bus or car pertaining to the pilgrim transport companies. Should a driver demand this, the pilgrim should notify the nearest checking center pertaining to the General Cars Syndicate or the central or sub-committees of the Executive Committee that is responsible for supervising the transport of pilgrims, or a public security authority, for inflicting the due punishment on such a driver.